Hopwood reigns in junior high division

Hopwood Junior High School was the runaway winner in the junior high division of the 2014 McDonald’s/PSS All Schools Athletics Championships held at the Oleai Sports Complex last week.

The Hilitais overwhelmed their foes both in the boys and girls divisions to sweep the junior high competition. In the boys division, Hopwood collected 210 points, the second most points earned by any division team (Marianas High School’s girls squad had the most with 211 points), while the girls got 166 points.

Hopwood was led by siblings J.J. and Jessme Jones, who topped multiple events in the tournament held from Thursday to Saturday last week. Other members of the team were Nikolai Balbin, Matthew Kapileo, Ryutaro Litulumar, Falaisios Angel, Tyvieann They, Joshalyn Flores, Shania Salas, Dorleen Naka, Arriane Antonio, Shainalyn Lizama, Bud Jason Norita, Angelo Deliola, Neldreyton Skerei, Dustin Ngirchongor, Theyvin They, Catherine Moses, Liana Depich, Catherin Moses, Ryan Relucio, Faster Ucherbelau, Lyka Sally, Shania Saures, Mika Toyoko, James Ermitanio, and Chloe Salvosa. Frankie Angel is Hopwood’s head coach.

Hopwood competed in nine of the 10 running events, getting 28 points each in the 100m, 200m, and 400m run, 22 in the 800m race, 18 in the 60m and 1,500m and 10 apiece in the three relays (4x100m, 4x400m and mixed relay). Points are awarded based on how participants finished in each event. The Hilitais were way ahead of Agape Christian School and Saipan Community School, which joined Hopwood in the podium and received trophies from McDonald’s Saipan general manager Marcia Ayuyu and her son Joe. The ACF Torchbearers gathered 42 points, tallying 14 in the 3,00m, eight each in the 4x400m relay and mixed relay, and six apiece in the 1,500m, and 4x100m relay to edge SCS, which notched 40 markers. Saipan Community got points from five running events and four field competitions.

In the girls division, Hopwood claimed its most points via the 100m run (30 points) and collected more in six other running events to go with its 63 points in three field contests. Hopwood more than doubled the total points of runner-up Agape, which nailed 66 points off four running events and two field competitions. Saipan International School rounded out the Top 3 with its 28 points.

A Hopwood Junior High School student competes in the long jump event in the U14 division of the 2014 McDonald’s/PSS All Schools Athletics Championships last Friday at the Oleai Sports Complex. (ROSELYN B. MONROYO)